WASHINGTON D.C.-- U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03) applauded the passage of her bipartisan Zip Code bill, H.R. 8753, through the House Oversight Committee. This bipartisan bill benefits communities throughout the country by providing unique Zip Codes for cities and towns including the Colorado communities of Silver Cliff, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Centennial, Severance, Greenwood Village, and Superior.
“I am thrilled to see my bipartisan Zip Code bill pass through the House Oversight Committee with unanimous bipartisan support, which addresses the needs of small communities in Colorado and across the country by authorizing unique zip codes for these cities and towns,” said Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03). “By receiving a unique zip code, these communities will hold on to more of their tax revenue, improve the response times of first responders, and minimize issues with postal deliveries to incorrect addresses. I’ve been honored to lead on this bill for small towns and cities throughout America and will not yield on my efforts until this legislation is signed into law.”
“We are excited to see Congresswoman Boebert’s zip code bill move through Committee, as this will be a huge benefit to our town and the residents of Severance,” said Severance Mayor Matt Fries. “From helping our first responders get to locations in a timely fashion to bringing in more tax revenue to fund critical projects, a unique zip code is a major help for the future of our community. We are grateful for Congresswoman Boebert’s work on this bill and we completely support it being signed into law in the coming weeks.”
“The City of Lone Tree continues to strongly support the proposed ZIP Code bill for the communities of Colorado,” said Lone Tree Mayor Marissa Harmon. “This essential federal legislation will enable Lone Tree and our neighboring cities to more effectively service our residents and businesses, streamline our services, and enhance the unique identity of our community.”
Silver Cliff Mayor Buck Wenzel stated, “This bill would restore the Town of Silver Cliff’s rightful identity and will guarantee that sales tax is properly distributed and received by our town and not by others. Silver Cliff’s Zip Code was arbitrarily and capriciously removed from use in 1991 and our town was forced to use another town's Zip Code. As such, the identity of our town was stolen and to date we have suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost sales taxes from online, out of county, and out of state sales. The citizens of Silver Cliff deserve for their taxes to be spent on the roads and other necessities that they use on a daily basis.”
“The creation of a unique Zip Code would ensure sales tax is properly collected and reinvested into our community’s critical infrastructure and services,” said Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman. “It would also help alleviate resident concerns about inconsistent postal deliveries.”
Centennial Mayor Stephanie Piko stated, “Establishing a single zip code for communities would enhance their community identities and address challenges such as emergency management, public safety, business attraction and retention, insurance coverage, and mail delivery, which are beyond the communities' control."
“A unique zip code will be a major factor for Castle Pines receiving the taxes paid by our residents and making sure we are able to build out the infrastructure needed to meet our community’s demands,” said Castle Pines Councilwoman Deborah Mulvey. “We are very appreciative of Congresswoman Boebert taking the time to listen to the needs of small cities and towns across Colorado and follow through with a solution that benefits the people of Castle Pines.”
Background:
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced H.R. 8753, to direct the United States Postal Service to designate single, unique ZIP Codes for certain communities. Read the full text of the bill HERE.
The Zip Code system was instituted in America in the 1960s. The Postal Service utilizes the zip code system to deliver mail, but it is also heavily used and relied on by economic developers, insurers and emergency personnel amongst others.
Communities that do not have a unique Zip Code often experience associated problems that include: loss of economic development, loss of sales tax, unjustifiably high insurance rates, tax remittance and commercial licensing issues, diminished public safety and reduced emergency response times, identity issues, and efficiency issues.
For example, first responders often go to the wrong streets and people needing help experience delays due to Zip Code issues that would be addressed by this legislation.
Small towns and cities can petition the Postal Service for a new Zip Code but it is rarely approved and if it is denied they cannot appeal this decision for up to 10 years. Congress has intervened on these matters and last passed a law enacting four new Zip Codes through the Post Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006.
The 45 known communities throughout America experiencing Zip Code problems that would benefit from Congresswoman Boebert's legislation include:
(1) Eastvale, California.
(2) North Tustin, California.
(3) Castle Pines, Colorado.
(4) Centennial, Colorado.
(5) Cherry Hills, Colorado.
(6) Greenwood Village, Colorado.
(7) Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
(8) Lone Tree, Colorado.
(9) Silver Cliff, Colorado.
(10) Severance, Colorado.
(11) Superior, Colorado.
(12) Scotland, Connecticut.
(13) Coconut Creek, Florida.
(14) Deerfield Beach, Florida.
(15) Lighthouse Point, Florida.
(16) Parkland, Florida.
(17) Wilton Manors, Florida.
(18) Estero, Florida.
(19) Ft. Myers, Florida.
(20) Hollywood, Florida.
(21) Miami Lakes, Florida.
(22) Ocoee, Florida.
(23) Oakland Park, Florida.
(24) The Villages, Florida.
(25) Burr Ridge, Illinois.
(26) Urbandale, Iowa.
(27) Carmel, Indiana.
(28) Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
(29) Montz, Louisiana.
(30) Swanzey, New Hampshire.
(31) Kinnelon, New Jersey.
(32) Flanders, New York.
(33) Glendale, New York.
(34) Pendleton, New York.
(35) Riverside, New York.
(36) Northampton, New York.
(37) Goose Creek, South Carolina.
(38) Sargent, Texas.
(39) Fairlawn, Virginia.
(40) Caledonia, Wisconsin.
(41) Franklin, Wisconsin.
(42) Greenfield, Wisconsin.
(43) Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.
(44) Somers, Wisconsin.
(45) Mills, Wyoming.
Current cosponsors of Congresswoman Boebert’s H.R. 8753 include: Rep. Byron Donalds (FL-19), Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Rep. Young Kim (CA-40), Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01), Rep. Troy Nehls (TX-22), Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY-23), and Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-01).
Congresswoman Boebert also introduced legislation last Congress to try to solve Silver Cliff’s Zip Code problem. Read more about that effort HERE.
